公开(公告)号：US09277266B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-01

申请号：US12406881

申请日：2009-03-18

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Charles Hasek ,  Craig Mahonchak

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Charles Hasek ,  Craig Mahonchak

IPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/274 ,  H04N21/2225 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/81 ,  H04N21/472

CPC分类号： H04N21/47202 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/2225 ,  H04N21/274 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/812

摘要： Apparatus and methods for the capture and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the apparatus comprises a local server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery to a VOD server, thus obviating the need for superfluous VOD storage. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in a video recording (e.g., nPVR) system, and gives a network operator dynamic control over local playlists. In another embodiment, the local server of the improved system obviates the need for a VOD server in the nPVR system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate nPVR content access across one or more regions of a broadcast network are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into nPVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

摘要翻译： 通过网络捕获和传送内容的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，网络包括有线电视网络，并且该设备包括本地服务器，其在将其传送到VOD服务器之前存储，处理和组装内容，从而避免了对多余VOD存储的需要。 该方法还有助于视频记录（例如，nPVR）系统中的各种预流处理，并且给予网络运营商对本地播放列表的动态控制。 在另一个实施例中，改进的系统的本地服务器消除了对nPVR系统中的VOD服务器的需要。 还公开了适于促进跨越广播网络的一个或多个区域的nPVR内容访问的一个或多个内容库。 辅助内容（例如，促销，广告等）也可以被选择性地插入到nPVR内容中。 还描述了实现前述的各种接入，业务或操作规则和方法。

公开(公告)号：US08752099B2

公开(公告)日：2014-06-10

申请号：US13245657

申请日：2011-09-26

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  John B. Carlucci ,  Hugh Josephs

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  John B. Carlucci ,  Hugh Josephs

IPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/16

CPC分类号： H04N21/47214 ,  H04N5/913 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4627 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N21/8358 ,  H04N2005/91328 ,  H04N2005/91335

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

摘要翻译： 用于向可以经由用户设备选择性地记录的网络的用户提供内容的方法和装置。 在示例性实施例中，网络包括混合光纤同轴（HFC）网络，并且按需（OD）会话用于向用户提供所请求内容的高速下载。 用户的设备（例如，机顶盒）配备有可以将内容记录到所选介质（例如，DVD）上的高密度记录设备，并且可以通过一种或多种方式提供版权保护，例如限制数量 可以制作的副本，和/或数字水印。 网络运营商还可以基于包括用户先前购买的内容的参数以及经由其他分发渠道释放相同内容的定时来限制按需会话的建立和/或向用户发布内容 如租赁和零售。

公开(公告)号：US08028322B2

公开(公告)日：2011-09-27

申请号：US11080693

申请日：2005-03-14

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  John B. Carlucci ,  Hugh Josephs

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  John B. Carlucci ,  Hugh Josephs

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/47214 ,  H04N5/913 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4627 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N21/8358 ,  H04N2005/91328 ,  H04N2005/91335

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

摘要翻译： 用于向可以经由用户设备选择性地记录的网络的用户提供内容的方法和装置。 在示例性实施例中，网络包括混合光纤同轴（HFC）网络，并且按需（OD）会话用于向用户提供所请求内容的高速下载。 用户的设备（例如，机顶盒）配备有可以将内容记录到所选介质（例如，DVD）上的高密度记录设备，并且可以通过一种或多种方式提供版权保护，例如限制数量 可以制作的副本，和/或数字水印。 网络运营商还可以基于包括用户先前购买的内容的参数以及经由其他分发渠道释放相同内容的定时来限制按需会话的建立和/或向用户发布内容 如租赁和零售。

公开(公告)号：US20050060745A1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-17

申请号：US10662776

申请日：2003-09-15

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  Erik Urdang ,  Tom Gonder ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Brad Jordan

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  Erik Urdang ,  Tom Gonder ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Brad Jordan

IPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/025 ,  G06F3/00 ,  H04N7/10

CPC分类号： H04N21/4532 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/0255 ,  G06Q30/0258 ,  G06Q30/0264 ,  G06Q30/0272 ,  G06Q30/0276 ,  G06Q30/0277 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/2407 ,  H04N21/25883 ,  H04N21/26258 ,  H04N21/2668 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/854 ,  H04N21/8543

摘要： The present invention is directed to systems and methods for creating a program for delivery to a client in a video time shifting architecture. The system of the present comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to select one or more advertisements and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the selected advertisements and an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to generate a playlist that identifies content. The playlist includes a user requested time shifted program and the one or more selected advertisements. A video server is operative to interpret the playlist and deliver the content to the user.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及用于在视频时移架构中创建用于传送给客户端的程序的系统和方法。 本发明的系统包括：广告选择系统（ADS），用于选择一个或多个广告并发送唯一地标识所选择的广告的一个或多个标识符;以及广告管理系统（AMS），其可操作以生成标识内容的播放列表。 播放列表包括用户请求的时移程序和一个或多个选择的广告。 视频服务器用于解释播放列表并将内容传送给用户。

公开(公告)号：US09621855B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-11

申请号：US11953179

申请日：2007-12-10

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Craig Mahonchak

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  John Callahan ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Craig Mahonchak

IPC分类号： H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/81 ,  H04N21/472

CPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/26258 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84

摘要： A method of providing programming content from a video server to a client coupled to the video server by a video content network includes the steps of sending, to the client, a playlist describing an interrelationship between at least one program segment and at least one related segment; sending, from the video server to the client over the video content network, video content comprising the at least one program segment and the at least one related segment; and modifying the playlist via communication to the client. The steps of sending the playlist, sending the content, and modifying the playlist are all accomplished within a single video-on-demand session per user.

公开(公告)号：US09386327B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-05

申请号：US11441476

申请日：2006-05-24

申请人： Michael L. La Joie ,  Michael Hayashi ,  Steven Riedl

发明人： Michael L. La Joie ,  Michael Hayashi ,  Steven Riedl

IPC分类号： H04N21/234 ,  G06F21/10 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/254 ,  H04N21/258 ,  H04N21/81 ,  G06F15/16

CPC分类号： H04N21/23424 ,  G06F15/16 ,  G06F21/10 ,  H04L67/1097 ,  H04L2463/101 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/2541 ,  H04N21/25825 ,  H04N21/25833 ,  H04N21/25841 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8133

摘要： Apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network, with dynamic or adaptive insertion of secondary content (e.g., advertisements or promotions) that are more relevant for that context. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process; secondary content is evaluated and selectively inserted or replaced depending on factors such as the user's remote location, the configuration of their platform, the date and time of their access request, and/or the subject matter of the primary content.

摘要翻译： 允许用户（例如，有线或卫星网络用户）从用户网络外部的位置访问诸如视频节目的内容的动态或自适应插入辅助内容（例如广告或促销）的装置和相关方法， 这对于这种情况更为重要。 在一个实施例中，个人内容服务器通过内容管理器进程的授权通过网络连接将内容从本地例如（订阅）网络流向远程网络; 根据诸如用户的远程位置，其平台的配置，其访问请求的日期和/或主要内容的主题等因素来评估和选择性地插入或替换次要内容。

公开(公告)号：US20120185899A1

公开(公告)日：2012-07-19

申请号：US13351185

申请日：2012-01-16

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Gabe Zimbelman

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Gabe Zimbelman

IPC分类号： H04N21/25 ,  H04N21/458

CPC分类号： H04N21/2385 ,  H04N21/23424 ,  H04N21/23439 ,  H04N21/2402 ,  H04N21/2405 ,  H04N21/26216 ,  H04N21/26225 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/64738

摘要： Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described.

摘要翻译： 用于优化基于内容的网络内的多媒体或其他内容的分发和传递的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，网络包括广播交换有线电视网络，其利用网络优化控制器（NOC）来处理订户节目观看请求以识别可用于完成请求的选项（包括例如创建一个或多个“微播 “专门针对一个或多个用户），并评估这些选项以确定优化网络操作的选项。 NOC通过考虑网络资源可用性，CPE类型，订户的目标广告简档以及由网络运营商编程的业务规则等各种参数来执行这些决定。 还描述了基于这样的网络优化的业务方法。

公开(公告)号：US20100242079A1

公开(公告)日：2010-09-23

申请号：US12406881

申请日：2009-03-18

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Charles Hasek ,  Craig Mahonchak

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Charles Hasek ,  Craig Mahonchak

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/47202 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/2225 ,  H04N21/274 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/812

摘要： Apparatus and methods for the capture and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the apparatus comprises a local server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery to a VOD server, thus obviating the need for superfluous VOD storage. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in a video recording (e.g., nPVR) system, and gives a network operator dynamic control over local playlists. In another embodiment, the local server of the improved system obviates the need for a VOD server in the nPVR system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate nPVR content access across one or more regions of a broadcast network are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into nPVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

摘要翻译： 通过网络捕获和传送内容的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，网络包括有线电视网络，并且该设备包括本地服务器，其在将其传送到VOD服务器之前存储，处理和组装内容，从而避免了对多余VOD存储的需要。 该方法还有助于视频记录（例如，nPVR）系统中的各种预流处理，并且给予网络运营商对本地播放列表的动态控制。 在另一个实施例中，改进的系统的本地服务器消除了对nPVR系统中的VOD服务器的需要。 还公开了适于促进跨越广播网络的一个或多个区域的nPVR内容访问的一个或多个内容库。 辅助内容（例如，促销，广告等）也可以被选择性地插入到nPVR内容中。 还描述了实现前述的各种接入，业务或操作规则和方法。

公开(公告)号：US20100131969A1

公开(公告)日：2010-05-27

申请号：US12231655

申请日：2008-09-04

申请人： Justin Tidwell ,  Forrest Murphy ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Steven Riedl

发明人： Justin Tidwell ,  Forrest Murphy ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Steven Riedl

IPC分类号： H04H60/32

CPC分类号： H04H60/31 ,  H04N21/25808 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/6582

摘要： Methods and apparatus for accurate, secure and uniform exchange of audience research data. In one embodiment, viewership data is provided in real-time and offers the ability to monitor audience activities regarding, among others, broadcast, VOD or DVR content. A standardized message configuration is optionally used also to permit maximum uniformity and accessibility of the data. Accuracy of data exchange is enforced by implementing a method of detecting system failures, and the transmission of incomplete messages. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that stored data is not traceable to a specific user account. The methods and apparatus may also be utilized in conjunction with systems enabling the insertion and/or recommendation of content or advertising based on data collected regarding user actions or events. Business methods are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 观察者研究数据的准确，安全和统一交换的方法和设备。 在一个实施例中，实时提供观看数据，并且提供监视与广播，VOD或DVR内容有关的观众活动的能力。 也可以使用标准化的消息配置来允许数据的最大均匀性和可访问性。 通过实施检测系统故障的方法和不完整消息的传输来实现数据交换的准确性。 还通过例如散列或加密与CPE和/或订户相关的数据来维护用户隐私和匿名，从而确保所存储的数据不可跟踪到特定的用户帐户。 方法和装置还可以与基于收集的关于用户动作或事件的数据插入和/或推荐内容或广告的系统一起使用。 还披露了业务方法。

公开(公告)号：US20090217329A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-27

申请号：US12036404

申请日：2008-02-25

申请人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Craig Mahonchak

发明人： Steven Riedl ,  Bryan Santangelo ,  Craig Mahonchak

IPC分类号： H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/47202 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/242 ,  H04N21/26258 ,  H04N21/4307 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/6581

摘要： Methods and apparatus for allowing parties, e.g., individuals, at different locations to participate in an on-demand content delivery session are described. Dynamically updateable playlists are used to control content delivery to the session participants in a synchronized manner. Content may be delivered to different session participants from different servers with a different playlist corresponding to each session participant being used to control content delivery to the session participant's host platform, e.g., set top box. Either party may update the playlist with, optionally, each of the content delivery servers being controlled by a different or local copy of the jointly updateable play list. Thus, an inviting party and one or more joining parties are able to participate together in an on-demand session. While the participants may be served by the same or different content delivery servers, the parties are able to share images, audio, and/or video in a synchronized manner.

摘要翻译： 描述了允许诸如个人在不同位置的各方参与点播内容递送会话的方法和装置。 动态可更新的播放列表用于以同步的方式控制向会话参与者的内容传送。 可以将内容从具有不同播放列表的不同播放对象传送到不同的会话参与者，每个会话参与者被用于控制向会话参与者的主机平台（例如机顶盒）的内容传送。 任一方可以可选地由可共同更新的播放列表的不同或本地副本控制的每个内容递送服务器来更新播放列表。 因此，邀请方和一个或多个参与方能够一起参加按需会话。 虽然参与者可能由相同或不同的内容传送服务器服务，但是各方能够以同步的方式共享图像，音频和/或视频。